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Traipsing through Time at the Getty Center

Priceless art, amazing views and a tram ride, followed by dinner in Hollywood

Rating: 5 out of 5 by EveryTrail members

Difficulty: Easy

Length: 5.2 miles

Duration: Half day

Family Friendly

Overview :
Travel back in time through the works of famous artists at the Getty Center, perched on a hilltop in the Santa Monica Mountains about ... more »12 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles.

The museum's galleries are filled with pre-20th century European paintings, drawings, manuscripts, sculpture and decorative arts, and 19th and 20th century American and European photographs that paint a portrait of life reaching back as early as the 1300s.

As you look at early family portraits or scenic landscapes, or admire the attention to detail on fine furnishings and artifacts, you get a sense that, perhaps, people's values and interests haven't really changed that much.

In artistic contrast to the early collections depicting life long ago, is the Getty's contemporary architecture, allowing you to wander from one building to the next through sleek glass doors without ever going outside-– unless you want to. Terraces branch out from each building, affording expansive city and Getty property views.

The Getty consists of six buildings around a central courtyard. The galleries, which are housed in five exhibition pavilions, including the Getty Research Institute Exhibition Gallery, are organized chronologically from the North Pavilion to the west. The Exhibitions Pavilion features changing exhibitions.

Don't overlook the outdoor gardens and fountains. A must-see is the Getty Center's creative Central Garden, accentuating color, light and water. Halfway through your tour and before you hit the garden, take a break at the Garden Terrace Cafe, which serves tasty hot and cold food at reasonable prices. Take advantage of this time to rest and absorb everything you're seeing.

Allow at least two hours to tour the Getty. Ideally, plan to spend a good three to four hours (including time for lunch) for a leisurely look at the galleries and downtime by the fountains.
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1200 Getty Center Dr.
Los Angeles
310-440-7300
www.getty.edu
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Admission
Free
Parking $15.00
Free Saturday after 5pm
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Hours
Tuesday-Friday 10am-5:30pm
Saturday 10am-9pm
Sunday 10am-5:30pm
Closed Mondayless «

Tips:
Arrive early to enjoy the galleries before they get too crowded. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Bring a lightweight jacket.

Points of Interest

1. Getty Parking Structure

From the 405, take the Getty Center Drive exit and follow the signs to the Getty parking structure. This is a huge indoor facility, so be sure to jot down what level you're parked on. Elevators bring you to the Lower Tram Station, where you will board a tram to transport you up the hill to the museum.
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Parking $15.
Free Saturday after 5pm

2. Lower Tram Station

From the parking structure, take an elevator up to the Lower Tram Station. When arriving or departing on the tram, be sure to allow yourself plenty of time for tram lines on busy days. Trams depart every five minutes.

A computer-operated tram (basically a horizontal elevator) takes you from the street-level entrance 3/4 of a mile up the hill. Sit... More or stand to view the hillsides and the 405 freeway on the left side of the tram when it's going uphill. If possible, sit in the front car for better viewing but no matter where you find room, you'll be able see the passing scenery.

You might even get lucky and see wildlife. Keep your eyes open for deer and rabbits in the surrounding hillsides. The tram brings you to the Upper Tram Station in the arrival area, which is where you'll return for the ride down.

If you'd like to bypass the tram, you're welcome to walk up or down the hill along the pedestrian sidewalk. The path has a moderately steep grade. Depending on your pace, the walk takes about 15-20 minutes.

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3. Upper Tram Station

At the top of the hill, you depart the tram in the upper tram station. Here's where you'll catch the tram later in the day when you're ready to leave the Getty.

The upper tram station is adjacent to the arrival plaza. Walk up the steps to the Museum Entrance Hall.

Start here to pick up a map, tour schedules and a copy of "Today at the Getty Center." Or check the Today Board for schedules of talks and tours, family activities, lectures and upcoming events. The Getty offers free architecture, garden and collections tours for people interested in detailed information about the center.

Another option... More is to pay $5 for a GettyGuide audio player (available in several languages), which features commentary from curators, conservators and artists. Restrooms, sitting areas and coat check-in are also housed in this building.

And, of course, armed with your colorful map and guide, you can explore the Getty's stunning grounds on your own. Exiting the Museum Entrance Hall through the back leads you to the central courtyard.Less

5. Getty Central Courtyard

Take a few minutes to enjoy the serene pools and fountain, and to map out your day. Keep in mind there's no right or wrong way to explore the Getty. It's personal preference and how much time you want to devote to the indoor collections and outdoor gardens.

However, the west building is the most popular and gets crowded. So it's a good idea to... More start here and work your way back in time. All paintings are on the second floors of each building. Decorative arts, sculptures, photographs and manuscripts are on plaza levels.

If you have kids, first pop into the Family Room on the plaza level of the East Pavilion. Kids can pick up materials to help them locate and identify certain collections. Once you pick up this kit or if you're without kids, go straight to the West Pavilion on the far side of the courtyard.

Just outside the West Pavilion is a 120-foot linear fountain. This centrally located fountain is a relaxing resting spot at any time during the day.

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6. West and South Pavilions

Entering the West building, you'll be on the plaza level where you'll find a bookstore. Take the elevator upstairs to the galleries displaying the 19th century paintings of Leonardo da Vinci, Michaelangelo, Rembrandt and Van Gogh.

Since all the buildings are connected via the second floors, you will soon find yourself in the South Pavilion... More housing 18th century paintings upstairs. The majority of the museum's European decorative arts collection, including elaborately furnished paneled rooms, dating up to 1800 are downstairs.

Exit the backdoors on the plaza level of the South Pavilion for wide city views of L.A. and to see the descending cactus garden. From here, walk back to the main courtyard for a break before visiting the East and North Pavilions.

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7. Garden Terrace Cafe

From the courtyard, turn left to reach the nearby Garden Terrace Cafe, which has a full menu of sandwiches, wraps, salads, soups, baked goods and beverages.

Relax at a table in the covered terrace, which has nice city views. Or, order your lunch to go and enjoy it in the garden area. Many people relax and have picnics on the large, lush lawn... More skirting the garden. Now's a good time to let everything you've just seen sink in before you tackle more history.Less

From the terrace, there are two ways to access the garden. The most scenic is to the right of the terrace. As you follow the zigzag walkway that follows a stream to the garden, notice the various sized boulders strategically placed in the cascading water to create low and high babbling sounds.

The tranquil stream leads to a reflecting pool,... More surrounded by specialty gardens that make good use of color and light.

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9. East and North Pavilions

Well rested, you can now visit the remaining art pavilions. Enter the east building and go upstairs. In the Sketching Gallery adjacent to the elevator, try your hand at drawing from paintings and casts of sculpture. Next, walk through the upper floors of both the east and north buildings.

The East Pavilion features primarily 17th century Baroque ... Moreart, including Dutch, French, Flemish and Spanish paintings as well as sculpture and Italian decorative arts dating from 1600 to 1800.

If you've got kids with you, step into the Family Room, which has hands-on stations that replicate gallery highlights. Designed for kids ages 5-13 (but probably best for kids under age 10).

The North Pavilion houses paintings dating up to 1600, as well as medieval and Renaissance sculpture and decorative arts.Less

10. Sunset viewing

The Getty's many terraces offer fabulous views of the sunset. The best place to watch is from the Garden Terrace Cafe, where you can enjoy a meal or drink as the sun sets. Bring a lightweight jacket, as it can get windy here.

More good viewing options include the South Promontory (overlooking the cactus garden) and the South Pavilion Terrace on... More the second floor of the South Pavilion.

In summer, when the sun doesn't set until mid-evening, plan your Getty visit for a Saturday when the museum stays open until 9 pm.

After a long day of walking and exploring art through the ages, drive the relatively short distance to Hollywood for dinner and drinks. The following restaurants are all located between 9-16 miles from the Getty Center.

The Hungry Cat specializes in seafood cuisine but includes other menu items as well. This restaurant is about 16 miles from the Getty. Park on Morningside Court off Sunset Boulevard, one block west of Vine.
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1535 Vine Street
Los Angeles
310-462-2155
www.thehungrycat.com
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Hours
Monday-Wednesday Noon-11pm
Thursday-Saturday Noon-midnight
Sunday... More 11am-11pmLess

This restaurant offers a versatile menu sure to please everyone in your party. From oysters, lamb and tuna to falafel, ravioli and salads, the international cuisine has a little bit of everything. Located 16.17 miles from the Getty.
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1717 Vine Street
Los Angeles
323-962-1711
www.cleorestaurant.com
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Hours
Daily 6 pm-Midnight

If you still have energy, it's worth your time to catch a show at the historic Pantages Theatre. While it's best to order tickets in advance, last-minute tickets can usually also be bought.

The historic theater, which features year-round plays and musicals, is a Hollywood icon located on Hollywood Boulevard near Vine Street.
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6233 Hollywood... More Blvd.
Hollywood
www.broadwayla.org
323-468-1770Less

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